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The Illinois Route 66 Experience Hubs are a must-see for any road tripper cruising along the Mother Road. Standing at 9 feet tall, these custom-made kiosks offer an in-depth look at the unique communities and local attractions that make Route 66 in Illinois so special. You’ll spot these towering signposts in towns across The Mother Road, including the Route 66 Experience Hub in Normal, Illinois, found at Sprague’s Super Service Station.
Each kiosk has three panels. One side gives you a warm “Welcome to Route 66 in Illinois,” taking you on a visual journey through the entire stretch of Route 66 in the state. The other side is split into two panels: one loaded with fun local facts and the other showcasing a map of top attractions in the area—perfect for planning your next stop! Here’s what you’ll learn about at the Route 66 Experience Hub in Normal, Illinois.
Serving the Route 66 Traveler: Route 66 in Normal-Bloomington
In the twin cities of Normal and Bloomington, Route 66 travelers found all they needed to keep moving along the Mother Road. When Route 66 first emerged, businesses popped up to serve motorists with basic gas pumps outside stores, but soon evolved to include canopy roofs and eye-catching architecture to lure the growing number of road trippers. You’re standing near one such gem—Sprague’s Super Service, built in 1931 in the charming Tudor Revival style to blend in with the neighborhood while offering gas, mechanical service, and home-cooked meals. In the mid-1930s, oil companies hired top architects to design modern service stations, like the streamlined Texaco stations crafted by Walter Dorwin Teague. One such station, Quinn’s Texaco, opened in 1941 on Main Street in Bloomington. By the 1950s, Mom and Pop businesses like Streid’s, with its “Streamlined Spanish” style, offered one-stop services—gas, food, and a place to sleep as Route 66 followed the Beltline. And let’s not forget the legendary Steak ‘n Shake! Gus Belt turned his Shell gas station on Main Street in Normal into a restaurant in 1934, serving up his famous Steakburger. While the original building now houses a pizza restaurant, over 500 Steak ‘n Shake locations across the country keep that Route 66 legacy alive.
Route 66 Attractions in the Normal – Bloomington Region
Sprague’s Super Service: You are standing next to the only two-story Tudor Revival service station on Route 66, built in 1931. A wayside exhibit tells the story.
Normal Theater: The Art Deco style theater, built in 1937, has been completely restored. Enjoy classic films, live theater, and music.
David Davis Museum: David Davis, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice appointed by his friend and fellow circuit rider Abraham Lincoln, built this Victorian home in 1872. Open for tours.
McLean Country Museum of History: Housed in the 1900 McLean Country Courthouse, experience the history of this region through award-winning exhibits. A Route 66 wayside exhibit interprets “Bloody 66” and the rise of insurance companies in Bloomington.
Funk Prairie Home: Visit the restored 1864 home of Lafayette Funk, co-founder and director of the Chicago Union Stockyards and an Illinois State Senator. The Funk Gem and Mineral Museum is also located on the grounds. Open for tours.
Walker Store and Historic Depot: The Walker Store was a true general store. From 1921 to 1973, it sold a bit of everything including gas. Across the road is an abandoned historic depot that was mover here from Shirley.
Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup: The Funk family has been making and selling maple sirup since 1891. Pick up a sample for the road!
Funks Grove Church and Cemetery: Enjoy sanctuary-like peace beneath the giant maples at the Funks Grove Church (1864) and Cemetery.
Sugar Grove Nature Center: Visit the largest remaining intact prairie grove in Illinois. The nature center offers exhibits, live animals, trails, and programs.
Dixie Truck Stop: Opened in 1928 to serve Route 66 Truckers and travelers, it has only been closed one day due to fire in 1965.
Welcome to Route 66 in Illinois
Route 66, the legendary Mother Road, is a symbol of American freedom and adventure. Born in 1926, this iconic highway stretches 2,500 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, and you can still “get your kicks” today by exploring the Illinois Historic Route 66 National Scenic Byway. It all begins in downtown Chicago, winding through bustling suburbs before giving way to the rural countryside. Known as the road of escape during the Dust Bowl and the path to adventure in the ’50s and ’60s, Route 66 was more than just a highway—it was America’s Main Street. Travelers are greeted by grain elevators and prairie farmland, much like in the past, and quirky roadside attractions still beckon with promises of fun. Diners and cafes once catered to people on the move, and many of those spots still serve up hearty home-cooked meals. Historic service stations, where attendants pumped gas with a smile, can also be rediscovered today. The journey through Illinois ends at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a scenic endpoint once used to cross the Mississippi River. Though decommissioned in 1985, the nostalgia and charm of Route 66 live on through movies, music, and memories, keeping the spirit of the Mother Road alive for generations of road trippers.
Photos of the Route 66 Experience Hub in Normal, Illinois
Know Before You Go
To make the most of your visit to the Route 66 Experience Hub in Normal, Illinois, here are some things to know before you go.
What are the Route 66 Experience Hubs?
The Route 66 Experience Hubs are a series of large, interpretive kiosks installed along Illinois Route 66 designed to help travelers explore the Mother Road in a more interactive way. Each hub typically stands about nine feet tall and features colorful panels that welcome visitors to Illinois, share local Route 66 history, and highlight nearby attractions worth visiting. You can find more Route 66 Experience Hubs across Illinois.
What can visitors learn at an Experience Hub?
Each kiosk includes interpretive panels with Illinois Route 66 history, community-specific stories, and a map pointing out nearby attractions—helping travelers build a self-guided Route 66 itinerary as they go.
Where can you find this Route 66 Experience Hub in Normal?
Where to Stay Near the Normal Route 66 Experience Hub
Complete your travel itinerary and get a good night’s rest with a stay at one of these nearby hotels on Illinois Route 66.
Vrooman Mansion Bed and Breakfast
Vrooman Mansion Bed and Breakfast is located off Route 66 in the heart of Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. The Vrooman Mansion is a historical 1869 estate, with seven suites to choose from, all with private baths and access to beautiful common areas like the library, parlor, sitting rooms, and manicured grounds.
State House Inn, a landmark hotel in Springfield, Illinois, features a business center, gym, ironing service, and complimentary breakfast with a convenient location directly across the street from the Illinois State Capitol. Book a stay in one of the two themed Presidential Suites: the Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd.
Embarking on Route 66 is an adventure filled with roadside nostalgia, quirky attractions, and miles of open road. But before you roll onto the Mother …
Roadside attractions, classic diners, informative museums. No matter what fills your Illinois road trip itinerary there is one type of attraction that every Route 66 …
Let the Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit be your guide.
Are you ready to hit the Mother Road but feeling overwhelmed with planning? The Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit is your one-stop solution! Spanning 2,448 miles of pure Americana, Route 66 is packed with quirky attractions, historic sites, and unforgettable experiences—so why settle for a generic, outdated itinerary? Our toolkit offers a customizable travel spreadsheet with over 1,300 stops, a detailed eBook, and a step-by-step video guide to help you craft your dream Route 66 road trip. Don’t miss out—start planning your perfect Route 66 adventure today!
Let the Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit be your guide.
Are you ready to hit the Mother Road but feeling overwhelmed with planning? The Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit is your one-stop solution! Spanning 2,448 miles of pure Americana, Route 66 is packed with quirky attractions, historic sites, and unforgettable experiences—so why settle for a generic, outdated itinerary? Our toolkit offers a customizable travel spreadsheet with over 1,300 stops, a detailed eBook, and a step-by-step video guide to help you craft your dream Route 66 road trip. Don’t miss out—start planning your perfect Route 66 adventure today!
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